DOE Announces Plan to Modernize Department

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its intent to modernize the agency’s organizational structure to advance its policy goals consistent with its statutory requirements.

Under the DOE Organization Act, the Secretary of Energy has the authority to organize the Department in order to meet the needs of the current time and support and advance the policy priorities of the new Administration. Those priorities are: achieving U.S. energy dominance; protecting our energy and national security; advancing innovation; and improving outcomes in environmental management.

“Today we are announcing a plan to modernize the Department of Energy in order to build upon the success of the last 40 years and meet tomorrow’s challenges,” said Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. “This new structure will support American energy dominance, enhance our energy and national security, and improve outcomes in environmental management while ensuring DOE remains the leader in scientific innovation.”

Under the new plan, the current office of Under Secretary for Science and Energy (established in 2013 during Secretary Moniz’s tenure) will be separated into two Under Secretary positions so that there will once again be three Under Secretaries: the Under Secretary of Energy; the Under Secretary for Science; and the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator, as is consistent with DOE’s statutory mandate.

The Under Secretary of Energy will focus on energy policy, applied energy technologies, energy security and reliability, and certain DOE-wide management functions, while the Under Secretary for Science will focus on supporting innovation, basic scientific research, and environmental cleanup.

In addition, elements of the current Under Secretary for Management and Performance’s portfolio will fall under the responsibility of the Deputy Secretary of Energy.

Another change to the agency’s organization will include replacing the Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis with an Office of Policy.

It will also enhance DOE’s focus on early-stage scientific research and development and energy technology innovation, while improving environmental and legacy management outcomes.